New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-09-10
THE THISTLE BUILTTO WIN
REASONS FOR SECRECY ABOUT HrR-AxxalcAu

MODELS WERE NOT COPIED.
James Boil, vics-oommodors OF the Royal Clva.
Yacht Club, and George L. Watson. designer Of ~
Thistle. arrived hero yesterday on the City Of ROM
and went to the Fifth Avenue HOTEL The represents.
tive owner Of the Thiste 10 . tall, ssndy.bssrdsS
Scotsmau, with the air of successful man OF buI
ness, To TRIBUNE reporter he talked freely sbouI
yachting in general and his own yacht In particular,
A good deal of what lie said was IN the form 4
denial of current rumor regarding the Thistle her
building aud her shape.
sWe have boon much amused at the wild theorlzins
that has been going on In Americs," he said. cit
true she was built under shsd and launched undsr
cover. We did not want to give any rival yacht.
builders the benefit OF her model, and we we're alas
careful that no exact description of 1t should cross
the Atlantic in time to allow Of yacht being builI
here on the same Lines to compete against her"
SBut what was the need OF secrecy after che vns
bails and launched aud alter the Volunteer Wa
built purpose to defend the cup, and when yacht
on the Thsties model could no; have been built and
tried in time for the races y was asked
"ner sail plan might have been copied 1hsn
would have been time for that indeed, tor thai
matter, there is time toe 1t yet"
"What is tho Thistle's sail srear
a1hat could not say. i really do not know he
measurements. l told Mr.. Watson not to tell ms
what they were. When she vas begun We wen
with T9T all ths and
swhat is her keel really likep
alt Is an ordinary cutter keel All those stories
about sods.water apparatus to make air bubbles
and squarely. We have built a boat to beat
Americas best, and we are going to try oil we can
to take tho cup home"
sThst 1 cannot answer. 1t sevms to me that By
and by the American and British models will approx.
mate to each other and it will then DO struggle for
the best racer that common model. The Voun-
teer, which is undoubtedly very swift boat and for
which We have great admiration, s o compromise
on tho English cutter. But this yon may depend on,
the centreboard will never be adopted In Britain
until We absolutely convinced beyond doubt that
tie centreboard boats much faster than ocr pres
ent style. The Thistle is safe boat ~ well as ias
boat She can have her mast carried overheard, but
she Can never capsize."
But you do not gard the result of the race as
certainty in your faeorp
"Assuredly not Tho result Is matter which No
one should venture TO forecast, aud 1t wiz be No
mans race till the finish gun Is fired"
Is there any truth in the stoiy that Mr.: Watson
came over here to study American designs aud take
suggestions from them before building the Thistle T.
sNone; The plans Of the Thstle were .G%%plet:
they were not altered. He simply came to study the
weather of your coasts"
Mr. Bell remarked that the Thistle's draught was
13 teet and not LAG, as was the general Impression
When the reporter ran across the talented young
designer Of the Thistle he found him weary man.
inter ;ie wing what the evening papers give what
say that makes me tired. actually don't think
talked to their reporter at ALL"
Then what do you wish to say I"
"Why nothing"
" Have you been to see the Volunteer
"No ana have not the least desire to see her till
see her racing"
@whsn will the Thistle be dockedp
"0h, not till just before the race"
1hs City or Rome was met down the bay by the
Thistle with Mr.. Henderson, OF tho Anchor Line,
and a rouple of friends. The Passengers loudly
cheereL the yacht and Captain Young footed I"
welcome the big steamers deep-tOned whistle
Mr. nd ere mt q
City of Rome and went up to her pier with the new
comers, who found other friends waiting to greet
them there. The Thistle then returned to her
anchorage As the Anchor Liner passed The MObican,
lying oil Bay Ridge, tho steam yacht saued her with
three guns. Mr.. Watson, Mr.. Bell aud Mrs. Boil.
yaohtswoman, made themselves extremely popular on
the voyage. The three will take up their abode on
tho Thistle on Monday.